STEPHENS EAGER TO HEAD INTO BREAK ON A HIGH

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Dale Stephens says the side are determined to head into the international break on a high, ahead of their visit to Watford today.

Albion travel to Vicarage Road looking to get their first points of the season, after 2-0 defeats to Manchester City and Leicester City in their opening two games.

He said, “They're all important games, and there are no bad teams in this league.

“Watford will prove to be a challenge but it's a good time to play the game; we've got the international break after that, so it is an important game to try and get three points.

“We prepare like we always have done, so it's about us and what we do to get three points in the game. But like you say, they've got a new manager and quite a few new players, so they will all be looking to prove a point and impress him.”

Stephens recognises that Albion need to be more clinical in front of goal, but says the side can still take confidence from their two defeats against Manchester City and Leicester.

“That's probably the biggest area where we can improve. Looking at the last two games, we have held our own in respect of keeping Man City out for 70 minutes.

“We've had good periods of possession against Leicester but without really imposing a committed attack, so I think going forward that's where we can improve the most.

“I knew it would be a good standard and I don’t feel inferior, even playing against Man City at home, I felt that we could get something from the game.

“We did for 70 minutes and the same against Leicester, without giving them a leg up, you take the first goal away and there’s not much in the game. We’ve got to improve in the final third and that’s how we can get the results.”